Photo : Brendan McDermid, Reuters
NIAS Area Studies
AFRICA MONITOR
Photo : Brendan McDermid, Reuters
IN BRIEF
by Anu Maria Joseph
Kenya announces deployment of its force in DRC
On 2 November, Kenya announced the deployment of its first contingent of a regional peacekeeping force to Democratic Republic of Congo. President William Ruto will preside at the flagging-off ceremony in Nairobi for the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) joining the regional forces. The Kenyan troops will be a part of the East African Community (EAC) force, with an objective to help the Congolese army fighting M23 rebel insurgency. (“Kenya due to deploy army to fight DR Congo rebels,” BBC, 2 November 2022)
Somalia: US sanctions IS group over arms smuggling
On 2 November, the US sanctioned the Islamic State group (IS) and several individuals belonging to the group in Somalia over arms smuggling in East Africa. The sanctioned individuals are accused of providing intelligence support to the group and coordinating high-profile attacks. Since 2O15, IS Somalia has been active in the Horn of Africa. Despite significant regional and international support, Somalia continues to fight Islamist militancy and illicit arms network. (“US sanctions IS group in Somalia over arms smuggling,” BBC, 2 November 2022)
Nigeria: Thousands displaced by insurgency, says HRW
On 2 November, the Human Rights Watch warned that more than 200,000 people who have been displaced due to Islamist insurgency in north-east Nigeria are struggling to meet basic food and shelter needs. The rights group said that the situation worsened when the Borno regional state authorities shut down the camps for internally displaced people. It said by August alone nearly 140,000 people were asked to leave the camp. (“Nigerians displaced by insurgency struggling - HRW,” BBC, 2 November 2022)